At a press conference, a Chelsea defender commented on how manager Frank Lampard aims for long-term achievements.
Ben Chilwell clarified Chelsea’s inconsistent performance at the beginning of the new season. Although, he believes that the Blues will perform better in the long-term per Goal.
In spite of spending £220 million in the transfer season, Chelsea started slowly. They won one game, drew two, and lost one. Even so, gaffer Frank Lampard clearly states the club’s goal to win titles.
Though, Chilwell desires that supporters should give some time for the team to glue together. Chelsea signed the winger for £50 million from Leicester City.
Patience is the key.
“I think it’s the same at all clubs really. There’s been little to no pre-season really,” Chilwell said at his unveiling press conference. “It kind of feels like it’s gone straight from the back of last season into this season.
“Players have come in, COVID isn’t helping things, then injuries, including myself, Hakim, Christian. Key players and new signings haven’t been able to train with the squad as much as we’d like.
“Thiago is new to the building, Edouard is new to the building. So it’s not been easy for us all to bond and gel together, because we’ve not had the opportunity yet. Hopefully, we’ll all get back into training and full fitness in the next few weeks. And that should be positive for us.”
Chilwell did not play for the first few games for Chelsea. This is because he suffered from a heel injury last season with Leicester. Though, he played the Carabao Cup game for the Londoners.
Poor start to the season, and long-term goals.
Gareth Southgate announced that the 23-year-old will play for the England team. The very same day, the defender claimed that it was difficult to start the season at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s been frustrating because you want to play. And when you join a new football club you want to train and play straight away and help the team,” Chilwell added. “But it was one of those things where if I rushed it I would have made it a lot worse.
“Credit to the staff here because they kind of helped me a lot in terms of managing the load. And when I do come back I’m fully fit and, touch wood, not have another episode where it might flare up again.
“That’s the reason for building me back into match minutes slowly. Which I’m beginning to appreciate now because it’s important I get it right.
“I’m fit now, I played against Tottenham for 65 minutes and felt very fit. But I knew it was only going to be 60, 65-minute job for myself. It’s an injury I can’t miss steps out. And jump to play at 90 straight away because it will only aggravate it.
“Fitness-wise, I felt good after the game, which is positive. I trained today, I’m ready for the weekend.”
His return aids Lampard in making the selection for Premier League games ahead. Chelsea plays against Crystal Palace on the weekend.
In the end, the objectives for the club are winning trophies. Chilwell praised Lampard’s methods at the club along with his new teammates Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech.
“I spoke to the manager here. And straight away I got that feeling you want to play for him, want to win for him,” Chilwell concluded. “He won a lot of silverware here. It’s important to play for a manager that has played for the club I’m joining, loves the club, and knows what it takes to win trophies here.
“I think that’s a big reason why a lot of players joined here. His man-management seems top, even the boys who aren’t playing will tell you that as well. Tactically, he’s very good. And before I met him seemed like a really good guy you wanted to do well for.
“That was the main reason I wanted to come. I think with the players we’ve got here and the players who have been bought in. As well as the coaching staff, it’s a good recipe for things that can happen this season.
Hopes are that Chelsea will improve ahead of Chilwell’s transfer. Moreover, Thiago Silva’s signing adds new flavor to the backline.
Chilwell said: “We’re working a lot on the training pitch defensively in terms of hopefully conceding fewer goals from set-pieces and open play.
“So we’re working hard on that and, hopefully, when we build that team chemistry a bit more over the next few weeks. Everyone starts training more and gets back to match fitness. And everyone’s together a bit more, it should start to gel nicely.”
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